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Color Shines Brightly in Laser MFD Market, Reports IDC

20 March, 2007 13:29

<p>NORTH SYDNEY, March 19, 2007 - IDC has recently released the results for the Australia total laser Multi Function Device (MFD) market in Q4 2006. Findings revealed that the Australian laser MFD market was down by 14.5% sequentially but increased by 19.1% when compared with the same period in 2005. The last quarter of 2006 saw declines throughout each sub-segment of the laser MFD market: printer-based devices (laser multifunction printers) shipments decreased by 20.2% from the previous quarter while the copier-based MFD market shrank by 3.9% and fax-based multifunction devices market by 19.9% sequentially.</p><p>In addition, IDC has found the following key highlights of the 4Q 2006 laser MFD market:</p><p>1) The colour penetration within copier-based MFD market continues; 44% of all multifunction copiers shipped in Q4 06 were colour ones as opposed to only 29% in a corresponding period of time last year.</p><p>With estimated 15% average yearly price erosion of colour copier-based MFDs the market sponges in high quantities of those devices - IDC saw a fantastic 58.9% year on year growth and a moderate sequential colour copier-based MFD market expansion of 4.1%. On the other hand the monochrome copier-based MFD market is continuing to shrink and in the last quarter of 2006 decreased by 19.1% compared with the same period last year and by 9.4% sequentially.</p><p>Since the multifunction devices not only print or copy but also scan and with support of proper software/add on’s can perform many additional supporting functions. IDC has noticed a trend within monochrome copier-based MFDs of refreshing and upgrading the functionalities of those devices in order to prolong the life span (eg. colour scanner replaces the black and white one).</p><p>2) Printer-based laser MFDs lost some traction in the market in the end of 2006 losing almost 5% of market share. The main contributor to poorer results were monochrome devices’ sequential slid of 40.2%. Extremely high Q306 shipments overstocked the channel causing big drops sequentially but also influenced the yearly growth (Q406 v. Q405) of only 3.8%.</p><p>On a more positive note the colour multifunction laser printers finished the fourth quarter of 2006 posting 117.2% sequential growth. When compared with Q405 the colour laser multifunction printer market almost quadrupled its size showing 271.3% yearly growth and accounting for 35% of all multifunction laser printers shipped in Q406.</p><p>"In terms of vendor rankings for the printer-based laser MFD market, HP continued to be the dominant player improving its sequential market share by 13 points, holding almost half of the market (46.2%) in the quarter. Brother and Canon despite having a slower quarter gained market share and moved to respectively second (14.2%) and third (11.2%) positions. Samsung dropped by two positions and finished fourth with 9.9% share having much quieter quarter after an exceptional Q306. Keeping its spot and rounding out the Top 5 was Lexmark with 5.8% market share and also keeping its leading position in monochrome segments above 20ppm," said Katarzyna Czubak, Market Analyst Hardcopy Peripherals.</p><p>IDC’s Top 5 Printer-Based Laser MFD Vendor Market Share</p><p>Overall Share:HP 46.2%Brother 14.2%Canon 11.2%Samsung 9.9%Lexmark 5.8%Others 12.7%</p><p>****************************************************************</p><p>For press enquiries please contact:Katarzyna CzubakMarket Analyst, PeripheralsPhone: 61 2 9925 2202Email: kczubak@idc.com</p><p>****************************************************************</p><p>If you would like further information or to purchase IDC research, please contact Gary Clarke, IDC Associate VP of Sales via email gclarke@idc.com or phone 02 9925 2226.</p><p>****************************************************************</p><p>Click here to view the press release online:http://www.idc.com.au/press/release.asp?release_id=274</p><p>Click here to subscribe to IDC press releases and newsletters online:http://www.idc.com.au/newsletters/register/</p><p>****************************************************************</p>

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